Laughing Wolf

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Into The Light:  Orca

That Orca chose his own time and place does not surprise me in the least.  For Orca has been doing things his way for a long time, and the one sure bet was that he would do what he wanted, in his own way, and in his own time—and the latter was usually far quicker than anticipated.  He really didn’t care that he was a paraplegic, and and pretty much dared you to try and do otherwise. 

I’ve used Orca as an example in a number of talks, and talked of him in particular to our warriors.  He was the Alpha male of the main pack at Wolf Park and suffered a spinal injury one day that made him a paraplegic.  There were those who immediately rushed to write him off and send him off, but some of the staff had the wit to ask him what he thought—and he thought it didn’t matter separated from the pack.  His interest in life was undiminished, his devotion to food unsated, and his protection of pups undeterred.  Through the generosity of sponsors, his medical care was assured and he even received aqua-therapy, massage therapy, accupuncture, and more in an effort to help him regain his mobility. 

That he did, though one could easily tell that he had no sensation in his back legs courtesy of the high-steps he did when he did walk.  Fact was, he did not always choose to do so, and after he re-injured himself, his interest in walking on four legs just didn’t seem to be there.  That was okay by him, as he could move on two legs almost as fast as some of the four-legged wolves, and occasionally gave the two-legged visitors a surprise with his speed.  He did not let what others saw as his lack slow him down, for he did not seem to see it that way at all.  He simply did, and while (as Pat recently put it so well) he sometimes looked like a Mack Sennett sight gag, he never seemed to fail to do what he set out to do. 

It was easy to get him to do his physical therapy, all you had to do was offer treats or food, for I think he was the most food motivated wolf at Wolf Park—and that’s going some.  The last few days have been good, in that a number of stories have been shared and reshared, and I had forgotten of his “swallow the bunny whole” trick.  There were days he was far more Bugs Bunny that Mack Sennett, in that it seemed like almost anything would go straight to the stomach without ever touching mouth or throat.  Unlike Bugs Bunny, no explosions, rather a satisfied burp and a bit of a smirk. 

Paraplegic or no, I considered him the wolf you had to watch the closest out there.  Not that he was mean like a couple, for he wasn’t; but, he was one who’s signals could be subtle and he would react quickly to transgressions or such.  It was easy for people to fail to watch for he was a cripple, wasn’t he?  No, he wasn’t, not in his book, and he demanded your respect and attention. 

He lived life to the fullest he could and he didn’t let adversity slow him down.  He fought back to walk again, and when fate took that away once again, he went into two wheel drive that was almost as powerful and fast as four-wheel would have been.  You pitied him and thought less of him at your own peril. 

Orca, you will be missed.  Thanks for being a part of my life, for inspiring those who walk and live whole, and most of all for those like yourself who were injured and took inspiration from you.  You challenged us all, and in so doing helped more than you could ever know. 

LW

Clear No More

This morning started with some rather abrupt news in an e-mail:

At 11:00 p.m. PST today, Clear will cease operations. Clear’s parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.

After today, Clear lanes will be unavailable.

Sincerely,
Clear Customer Support

This bites on several levels.  The card/service had a good fee to it, and I know no part of that will come back.  Worse, the service worked and I very much enjoyed it.  It made it much easier to get to the airport, get cleared, and to the gates.  It some respects, the card has already paid for itself in reduced hassle the few times I’ve used it.  If someone is smart, they will look at what went wrong, and find a way to correct and press on, for I know I can’t be the only traveler who found it a useful service. 

LW

Thoughts Out To Those In DC

My thoughts are out to those affected by the Metro crash in DC, and most especially to those who have lost a loved one in the crash.  I know that line very well, and the Fort Totten station as it has been a regular transfer point for me in the last several trips to DC.  There is a lot of work being done on the tracks, and I saw it starting last time I was there.  May the light shine on them all, and may you keep them in your thoughts and prayers too.

LW

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Wolf Who Chose Me

Milady Echo was a cranky and, frankly, bawdy broad, with a twisted and delightful sense of humor.  Such is why she holds a special place in my heart, though the larger one is that she is the wolf that chose me. 

When I first volunteered out at Wolf Park, discussions about which wolf I would sponsor received an interesting response from some staff who had been out there a good while:  my wolf would choose me.  It was a concept I wasn’t quite sure about, though it did spark some interesting mental images of the wolves drawing lots for various people ("aw shoot, you mean I got XXXX? Damn.” other wolves laughing) or even ceremonies where the wolf comes up and chooses you a la the old lines at dances.  In my case, it came far closer to little Bobby explaining why he was late to school after dad thought he heard a fox in the henhouse and they ended up cleaning chickens…

I should start by explaining that Wolf Park is unusual in that it has a righ of return for all wolves born there.  Like all reputable facilities, they share pups with other facilities both as a means to try and prevent inbreeding and because no facility can really afford to keep all the puppies that are born there.  WIth Wolf Park, however, any wolf born at Wolf Park that goes to another research/educational facility can come home if things don’t work out, the facily closes, or other delights happen that means they need a home. 

Echo was a wolf that had been born at Wolf Park and had gone to another research facility.  When that facility had closed, Echo and her brother had gone to a nearby zoo that had a very good reputation.  I won’t go into all that happened, but will note the high points that she had become Alpha female of the pack (and had killed in the process of obtaining or maintaining) and was noted for being a bit of a handfull.  Her warped sense of humor was in full play, and she could not help, it seems, but to pick on those who showed too much passivity (or fear) towards her.  Long story short, she ended up being the last wolf of the pack still living, and you can’t introduce adults into a pack.  This resulted in some of her keepers suggesting that she come home.  So, with some generous help, Gale and Monty from Wolf Park went and got her, and brough her back. 

I had been out looking at a house not too far from Wolf Park, and had stopped by to ask some of the staff if they knew anything about it and the area where it was located.  At that time, I was still wearing nicer slacks and even starched dress shirts to work, and had gone from work to the house without time for change.  So, this is how I was dressed when I got to Wolf Park.  It was Echo’s first full day at the park, and Pat, who is over the animals (save staff), decided that my visit would be a good time to test both me (fairly new volunteer) and Echo to see how both did. 

So, I went in and instead of bracing on one knee as would have done in other clothing, I squatted.  This was fine initially, as she didn’t try to push me over or do things to knock me off balance.  It was more “People, oh joy! *greet**greet**greet* and she eventually became fascinated with the starch in the dress shirt, trying to hoover some of it out.  She worked around back, and that’s when that earthy devilish side of her came out.  When you squat, it causes a gap to open at the back where your pants pull away from the body.  Her muzzle dipped into that gap, got past a waistband, and I learned the truth of Pat’s saying “Canis Lupus Rhinus Frigidous”

So, here I am trying to reach behind me to grab a strange wolf by the neck, jaws that can shear through a thigh bone with ease very close to things I hold near and dear, going “Mine, Mine, Mine!” (voice rising a bit, I will admit) as I try to get her out of my pants.  When I got her out, I saw that twinkle in her eyes, she was laughing, and something just clicked.  I knew my wolf had indeed chosen me, and I paid her sponsorship the very next day. 

The click was solid, and it was sometimes almost scary to know that I could read her so well, and to know she could me as well.  Early on, I had realized that for all her bawdyness, she more than many other wolves demanded respect.  One of the things I’ve noted in my observations is that there are parallels to what used to be regarded as good manners, and even courtly manners.  Wolves demand and require respect, and failure to give them such leads to problems.  My own thought is that much of their social dynamic does remind me of almost Victorian manners, where the first contact—even with someone you know well—is somewhat formal.  They can then tell you to be less formal, but until then you may not do so. 

That’s how it was with Echo, and fairly quickly she became “Milady” to me and others picked up on that (and “Duchess") as well.  I always started at that level, and let her decide how formal or informal any given interaction would be.  Being herself, it usually became somewhat informal, but woe betide anyone who got too familiar.  There is another who in the last year had been out working with her almost daily who had to be gone for a while.  When they returned, they were snubbed, strongly, as if Echo was saying “Who are you to just think you can come in like nothing’s happened?” She did play favorites, and it was amusing to watch her “play” staff and interns. 

Her bawdy nature showed most clearly in her reaction towards males, particularly male wolves.  She almost continually flirted with Kiri, though that interest was not necessarily returned.  One of the most hilarious things I know of from her time at Wolf Park was her vamping of one of the younger male wolves.  Reudi is not the brightest light in the lupine sky, and Echo did a full Mae West “Come be my cabana boy” to him one time.  Reudi’s reaction was that he didn’t know what she was suggesting, but it and she were strange and scary…

She had never had the range of foods that wolves who stay at Wolf Park normally get, and it showed on her return.  I bought her prime lamb chops for a special event and she totally ignored them for a day or so, not realizing they were food.  Her reaction to the giant cheese puff that was in her watermelon that same day was classic, with her pulling it out, checking it out, and finally deciding that she would just scent roll on it, resulting in an orange-striped wolf for a day or two. 

I and another helped prepare her a special edible Christmas Tree one year, and much fun was had watching her deal with it.  She got so distracted by the cheese ornaments that she missed for a while the special sausage there for her.  Echo’s love of cheese can’t be overstated, and I have fed her many a different cheese with the only one she rejected being limburger.  She came to enjoy food and a variety of foods, and took delight in confounding one and all by eating something for a week or so then deciding she was tired of it and rejecting it.  Duchess indeed. 

Her delightfully warped sense of humor showed in many ways.  There was one particular staff member she delighted in tormenting, and her ears would perk up and eyes begin to twinkle at the mere mention of their name.  A couple of years ago, she staged what Pat described as “her Victorian deathbed scene” one morning.  Dana, a staff member, was taking a new intern around training them on processes and procedures.  As they came to Echo, she did everything but roll over on her back holding a lily in her paws as Pat later put it.  Net result was that poor Dana had to tell the intern that this is what you do if you think a wolf is dying or dead, and initiated the emergency response.  They drag poor Pat out of the facilities, only to have Pat walk up to the people at the enclosure (who were all calling her name, etc. trying to get a response), call Echo’s name, and have Echo leap up, spin in the air, land on her feet, and look at Pat as if saying “Oh, was someone calling my name???” She did variants of this right up until the end, and, yes, she was saying “Gotcha” after every one of them. 

Like many canids, as she got older she suffered from a form of vocal cord paralysis.  The net result was that she made all the motions of howling, but nothing other than mechanical sounds came out.  She got me with that one dark night during a Wofl Park After Dark event, in which I heard these odd sounds coming from what sounded like one of the bison pastures.  I was trying to figure out what it was I was hearing and it took me a few minutes to realize it was her. 

Before my second embed to Iraq, she gave me a very special gift of song.  I had gone out to visit, and to let her know I would be away for a while.  When I went to leave, she actually worked hard enough to make a small song:  not a full howl, but close and with a bit of ru in it.  This tale scared a friend of mine, who worried it was an omen for me; but, I was more concerned it was an omen of her.  It was neither, but will be a gift I treasure to the end of my days. 

There are more stories I could tell, and I will sing more of her song one day.  For today, I write of yesterday, the day we laid her to rest. 

I had already decided to make it a special day for both Jenny and myself.  Jenny loves going to Wolf Park for walks around the perimeter.  There, I can safely let her off her leash and let her run.  To say she enjoys these walks is a bit of an understatement, and watching her on them brings joy (and occasional minor bits of panic) to me as well.  We went out early, and though I did not cut the walk short we didn’t dwaddle either as one of those things had come up at the park that happen when dealing with animals.  These are things that just are, and transcend politics and while I am no longer a volunteer I still do what I can when I can for the residents if not the Park. 

We held the funeral, shared stories, and remembered her.  At the end, I visited a bit, then took Jenny on another walk around the perimeter.  Hot and tired, we returned home to nap and to do little else as we made it a day of rest, recuperation, and remembrance.  I wanted it a special time for Jenny as this last year has brought home that she is far older than we thought, and I need store up memories and treasured time with her as well.  I wanted her to have her walks while eyes still see at least something, and hope to do another one soon. 

To those on the Green, if you see a wolf around the edges, don’t worry.  Be aware that she has a very low and earthy sense of humor, and means no real harm.  She loves cheese.  Milady, there is one who just arrived there who had a very long and rough trip, be kind to him please. 

I’ll see you on the other side Milady.

LW

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Some Thoughts On Why I Root For The Monsters

I root for the monsters in most horror/slasher/related flicks. 

There, I said it.  I root for the monsters—at least most of the time.  I was reminded of this today when someone I know told me they had a real stalker problem. 

In the movies, I root for the monsters because the victims are the worst of society.  No, I don’t mean the dregs of society that live in the gutters and are scum of the Earth.  No, I mean that they are the worst of today’s society.  They are self-absorbed, ignorant, uneducated in the classical sense, and lacking of manners, self-respect, and consideration for others.  They are vapid self-absorbed twits who have no reasoning skills and what appears to be an absence of common sense.  They are the weakest links and their removal is a brutal darwinian process.

Scary monster man is chasing you, so go stand in front of the targets on the archery range.  Take an extra shot for me Swampthing!  People are dying in brutal and horrible ways, so let’s go have sex—an act leaving one rather defenseless—in the least defensible location possible.  Oh, nice spear work Masked Breather, great play on the symbolism too!  The one that makes me cheer the most?  The Sweet Young Thing who does fight back, then goes to check on the monster to see if she (or they) may have hurt it, despite the fact that Mr. Ski Mask is known to play possum or otherwise return from the dead.  Take your time Mask, and make it two horrible ways at the same time if you can.  Get really creative and I will applaud. 

Sorry, they all flunked survival 101 and deserved the F they got.  You got a monster after you, go after it with everything you have.  If you knock/take it down, don’t stop there.  Go up to the hayloft and drop heavy things on it.  Throw containers of gas or such towards it, throw matches, and break out the marshmallows.  Run over what’s left with a tractor and throw the flattened remains in the wood chipper, then use the result as charcoal.  If you have a gun, empty the clip into monster remains, drop clip, reload, and empty that clip too (repeat until you have one clip left, always keep one for emergencies), aiming for head and crotch because if you remove one or both they won’t be coming after you (or will do so very slowly and the high-pitched scream will give you ample warning).  Toss a thermite grenade on it and burn down whatever structure is around it at the time.  Then and only then remove head (if left), heart, dismember, and bury the parts in the middle of crossroads and sprinkle liberally with holy water.  Then take off and nuke from orbit, just to be safe. 

Thankfully, movie monsters are limited to celluloid.  Unfortunately, there are some real-life things out there that give the movies a run for the money—with one important exception.  They don’t come back to life once dead. 

I have taught weapons and self-defense to a number of people over the years.  I told them to check the local laws and to obey the local laws in all particulars.  That is important, for it prevents you from being charged by the police, and it limits the ability of the perp to sue you/press charges for defending yourself.  In the latter case, they do remind me uncomfortably of the movie resurrections…

The key to good defense, and Survival 101 is not just to fight back, but fight back effectively.  Knocking someone down and running is not fighting back effectively, because as one who taught me pointed out, they can and will get up and chase you down, and are probably mad at that point.  If you knock them down, the law (in most places) allows you to take steps to ensure that they can’t get up and chase you down.  Keep in mind that if you have already tried to change locations by any means, you’ve filled any requirement to avoid/run away. 

I can’t go into much more here, but will say don’t be a movie star—know the law and fight back with all you’ve got.  Given what they were planning to do to you, don’t worry about hurting them—do unto them until you are sure they can’t do unto you, then call the law.  Keep in mind that when seconds count, law enforcement (and EMTs, ambulance, etc.) are only minutes away.  Act/react accordingly. 

My idea of a good slasher movie?

Thanks to Insty for the movie, even if he doesn’t give me any linkylove anymore. 

LW

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Zen Rock Garden

What do you do after an interesting day at work when all you really want to do is go home and crawl into bed?  Don’t know about you, but I went home, put a new wheel on the wheel barrow (old wheel having had the tube blow, tire blow, and hub come apart Sunday), and shoveled roughly three tons of rock into a Zen rock garden and border.  The border will eventually run all the way around the house yard and on both sides of the new fence where there is grass on the other side.  It eliminates the need to weed whack, you can mow along the edges, and—although it doesn’t show here—the border rocks are all different colours.  The rain that will clean the dust and mud off of them is on its way now, alas. 

This was the start of the evening:

This is where things stood at the end of the evening.  The grey/white gravel that is to evoke the sea is about four inches deep over the area.  The border is 1-2 inches deep.  I don’t feel bad at all about skipping the gym yesterday morning for some reason. 

All of the border rock you see came out of my yard and/or some of the “flower” beds around said yard.  Yes, I moved them all myself.  If it will quit raining, I hope to get pickets painted so I can do another section of fence here soon.  I would like to get the entire back fence done this summer, but am not holding my breath given the weather.  The garden is doing fair, though the beets show no sign of coming up even after replanting. 

More soon.

LW

Monday, June 15, 2009

A Dearth of Manners

I just had a good lunch ruined by a pint-sized extortionist.  Knowing full well that there would be no negative consequences, and that mommy would pay him off with treats, it began getting louder and louder demanding a drink the restaurant did not have.  Mommy did indeed bribe, with chocolates and more, until the screaming of what it wanted stopped. 

There used to be a day when such behavior would not have been tolerated, by the restaurant, the other patrons, and most particularly the parents.  My own had a very effective solution to any attempt to scream and cry:  they asked a simple question.  “Do you want something to cry about?” It was amazing how fast my attitude would be reassessed and modified.  Had I done as this child had done, I would have been taken outside early on so the question could be asked, answered, and other patrons not inconvenienced or otherwise subjected to my lack of manners. 

Then again, that would show consideration for others, and in this day and age of me, mine, self-empowerment, self-enjoyment, and self-centerdness, such a thing as simple consideration of others is not to be contemplated.  Indeed, had the restaurant said anything or taken any action, you would see complaints filed with anyone and everyone at lightspeed, and lawyers discussing/demanding settlements for the outrageous behavior of looking after all the other patrons.  Others, like me, knew that to say anything at all would be to invite the same, for clearly it is our fault for not considering all the travails of the mother and how hard life was on her and how she deserved and had a right to a meal out in a real despite having small children.  So, I and others simply got up, paid our bills, and left.  I gave an extra tip to my waiter for getting checks to all his tables immediately following the second howl. 

Alas, this is not an isolated incident.  Earlier in the day, I had someone in IT support call me at my office, and upon being informed that a meeting was in process, proceeded to press on with his business for his needs and wants clearly took precedent over any mere meeting.  Something similar occurred this weekend, when someone insisted on talking well past the point having been told goodbye. 

Philosopher and author Robert A. Heinlein once noted that manners are lubricant for the social machine.  Growing up, I can remember when people were polite, held doors, and more. It was manners that prevented situations from escalating, foul language from being used, and ensured safe zones of civility and family-friendly atmosphere. 

With manners not just ridiculed by progressive elements, but even openly denigrated and assaulted, it is no wonder that society has suffered.  Instead of lubrication, the lack of manners is sand in the gears of the social machine and there are no barriers to hurling the basest of insults and engaging in all forms of anti-social behavior at times and in places where such is not merely unneeded, but unwarranted. 

The answer lies not in being civil to the point of doing nothing for fear of offending.  The answer lies in fighting back, in shaming those who think only of themselves and show no manners or class.  In the case of the phone, the answer is easy and simple:  hang up on the them.  In the public case, there are ways to let the people in question know, in a polite manner showing the class they lack, what you think of their self-centered boorishness. 

It is past time to begin fighting back. 

LW

Sunday, May 24, 2009

On My Way To DC

On my way to DC to once again be a Fellow at the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, to take part in what I can on Memorial Day, and to see what trouble I can get into with Uncle Jimbo’s help.  More soon.

LW

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

My Magic Fingers Bed

Sorry for the lite posting, but:  new job and new job structure at work; lots going behind the scenes in blogging; lots going on in preparing for Blog World Expo; rewiring house and doing upgrades; and, yard and garden work.  Legalize cloning now please…

Right now, I’m tired and I blame part of it on my magic fingers mattress.  Nope, I didn’t buy one but now have one courtesy of Jenny.  You see, Jenny is brave and a mighty hunter—but is quite terrified of thunder, gunshots, and other loud booms.  Her terror is such that if it is night time, I put her up on the bed with me and she huddles against me.  She doesn’t want to be held, but wants simply to press against me. 

Pressed against me, she then trembles to the point that her 35 pounds causes the mattress to vibrate.  Not a small vibration either, but a strong movement that reminds me of the old magic finger beds that used to be in motels.  She then engages in pre-emptive kissing up, tongue-flicking the air and Dog above and when there is no response she often turns and begins kissing up to me to make it all stop.  Between the shaking and the random application of a wet, cold tongue it means for a less-than-restful night.  She is so scared that I figure I will come home one day when there’s been a sudden thunderstorm and find that her heart has just given out, for when she is next to me it thuds so hard it isn’t funny and is going 90-to-nothing. 

Yes, I do dope her when I know there is going to be bad weather, fireworks, or such.  Problem is, I can’t do that all the time (though it can be tempting on occasion).  We had an even money chance of no thunderstorms last night, had them, and same again today—had them.  I did hit her with a hefty dose of melatonin, but didn’t hit her with the hard stuff since it looked like it might miss us. 

BTW, I can always tell when the thuderstorms are past at night:  Jenny gets down off the bed and returns to the nest she has created at the foot of my bed.  This is where she feels she should be, her proper place in my room.  Not at my side, but at my feet.  Yes, I do find it touching, and reassuring. 

More soon, I promise.  Wait, I really mean it this time!  Really.  Honest. 

LW
who notes that for a dog who is now 11 (if not a bit older), going blind, and with “crunchies” in her hips, she gets around quite well and still acts like a puppy when we play in the yard…

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Six Years Seem Like Yesterday

It seems just like yesterday, in many ways, that I first began to look into the Maine state teacher’s scandal and John Ringo introduced me to Joe Katzman, saying that what I was doing deserved more than just being posted on Baen’s Bar.  When I wanted my own site, Joe helped me get set up with Moveable Type and was the best blogfather a blogger could hope for.  I base my six years not on my start at WoC, but on this site as I can actually find the first day on it.  For those interested in the early days, the index for that part of the site is here. 

To my surprise, the site took off and spent a fair bit of time in the top 500 of the ecosystem back in the day. I began to meet people not just online, but in person and some true friendships have come out of that.  One person I met online was Matt “Blackfive” Burden and that led to the ongoing wonderful chapter of my life that is my participation at Blackfive. 

Yes, I am a bit late with this, but that surprises you?  You should know me better by now.  To the ten or so of you who still check this site, my thanks.  To my friends I’ve made through this site, my thanks.  You have made it a true pleasure and are the greatest reward a person can have. 

Six years is a long time in the blog world.  Many quit.  Here, we’re just getting started. 

There is indeed more to come.

LW

Friday, April 24, 2009

Todd Update II

I regret to say that Todd is back in the hospital.  It seems some of the memory problems he was having are not from the drugs but from what appears to be a small stroke.  So, they are doing therapy that should help both with the effects of the stroke and with his recovery, since the memory problems were slowing things down.  There are some other things as well, but with him back in the hospital those can get checked and dealt with as needed.  As before, all positive thoughts and prayers encouraged. 

LW

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Todd Update

Sorry for the delay, have been twittering more than posting because of schedule.

GOOD NEWS:  He got the heart, the surgery went very well, and things are looking good.  Four of five drain tubes are now out, he is awake though being kept dopy for now.  The recovery seems to be a lot better than when he got the heart assist pump a few months ago. 

Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming, and thanks for those that have gone up!

LW

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Urgent:  Thoughts and Prayers Needed

Some good news tonight, but still thoughts and prayers are needed.  My friend Todd is being prepped and headed in for a heart transpant as I type.  Let that which is right be, and please let it be good news and a good fit for Todd.  Godspeed my friend, and fingers are crossed for you.

LW

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Yes, I Am Trying To Get Twitter

updates to show in a sidebar.  Not working as planned, having to learn/do some coding to make it do what I want it to do… Please stand by…

LW

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Face of America Ride:  We Need Your Help!

As previously noted, I will once again be riding in the Face of America Bicycle Ride with Chuck Z as part of Team Chuck Z:  Angels and Asphalt this April 24-26.  We need your help. 

Despite the tough economic times, we’ve set a fundraising goal of $7,000.00.  We can’t make that goal without you.  The money raised goes towards Face of America and other similar activities by World T.E.A.M Sports.  In short, it goes for a good cause.  A tax-deductible cause.  A chance to show that no matter what the ability, we all share the same road. 

Please donate.  Please join us, in spirit or on a bike.  More riders are most welcome.  The main thing is, join with us.

LW

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